Current Catalog Listing

+ = Applicable toward general education degree requirements

WI = Writing intensive course

Sociology

Requirements for a Major: 30 semester credits of sociology, including SOC 101, 220, 260, 301, 314, 400 and STAT 213.

Requirements for a Minor: 15 semester credits of sociology, including SOC 101, 220, 260, and 6 semester credits of 300-level courses.

Requirements for a Secondary Teaching Major (7�12): 33 semester credits in sociology, including SOC 101, 120, 220, 235, 240, 260, 265, 323, and 12 semester credits of social science electives. For education course requirements, see Education Department section.

Requirements for a Teaching Minor: 30 semester credits in sociology, including SOC 101, 120, 220, 260, 265, 323, and 12 semester credits of electives in the social sciences.

Gerontology Certificate Program Requirements: Complete 21 hours, as follows: (a). SOC 230, 405, and either SOC 386 or PSYC 348. (b). Three or four courses from the following: SOC 331, 336, 380, 399 (Independent study: Directed Research in Aging), PSYC 305, 312, 397, 398, PED 382, NURS (WI) 430. (c). If students take only three of the courses in (b) above, then students may take one credit per course up to a total of three credits from the following courses: MGMT 310; MKTG 347; HED 205, 207; PED 340 (WI), 390, 395; PHIL 310; PSYC 322, 324, 331, 342, 343, 350, 360, 402, 403; SOC 210, 240, 265, 323, 326, 342, 364.

____________________________________________________

Course Descriptions

+SOC 101. Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

Essential characteristics of life in society, including culture, socialization, subcultures, primary and secondary relations, stratification, face-to-face interaction, large-scale organizations, conflict, deviance and social change.

+SOC 120. Social Problems (3 credits)

Analyzing the major social problems in the United States and other countries. The problems include: racism, sexism, overpopulation, poverty, crime, homelessness, and other problems.

+SOC 210. Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)

A cross-cultural examination of those structures in society that are common to all groups: family, subsistence strategies and distribution of wealth, political arrangements, religion, art, science and technology. Through focused study of the multilevel struggles for cultural and environmental survival, students will bring new knowledge and analytical skills to their understanding of the cultural histories and issues in adaptation. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 220. Social Psychology (3 credits)

Focus is on the development of the social self, with emphasis on socialization, symbolic interaction, and development and presentation of self. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 225. Sex and Gender (3 credits)

Introduces students to major sociological perspectives on sex and gender. Topics include socialization, intellectual and personal development of women and men, theories of gender inequality, and analysis of the major social institutions organizing gender relations, such as the family, economy, and politics. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 120.

+SOC 230. Introduction to Gerontology (3 credits)

Survey course designed to study the aging population. Topics include: an overview of biological, psychological, sociological and social psychological aspects, studies, and theories of aging; study of issues important to social policy and programs aimed at the elderly; and an examination of the range of the gerontology professions as an interdisciplinary field of study. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 120.

+SOC 235. Deviant Behavior (3 credits)

Examines theories of crime and deviance, types and measures of crime; problems of drugs, alcohol, sex, and gender. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 120 or instructor permission.

+SOC 240. Race and Ethnicity (3 credits)

Intensive examination of the history and evolution of human diversity, including the development of concepts of race and ethnicity. The history and concerns of special populations such as Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic peoples, and Asian peoples are examined. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 260. Social Organization (3 credits)

Focus on large-scale social patterns and trends over time, including the formation and evolution of social groups, communities, organizations, institutions, and societies from a historical comparative perspective. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+-WI-SOC 265. Social Stratification and Inequality (3 credits)

How societies rank people by class, status, age, sex, race, and power. Emphasis on both theoretical and empirical studies. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

SOC 270. Social Change (3 credits)

How and why societies change over time. Includes theories of social change and the study of modernization and international development. Special focus on the influence of science and technology. Also current events on the international scene. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 280. Conflict Resolution (3 credits)

In-depth analysis of the social dynamics and dimensions of conflict and the ways in which conflict can be channeled into productive and positive opportunities for change. Covers individual, group, organizational, and global examples. Includes training in the Harvard Model of Conflict Resolution. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

WI-SOC 301. Sociological Theory (3 credits)

Examines the background, assumptions, and ideas of early sociologists as they tried to establish a foundation for sociology as an academic discipline. Prerequisites: SOC 101 and nine semester credits in sociology.

WI-SOC 314. Research Methods in the Social Sciences (3 credits)

History and philosophy of science and its influence on modern social research. Specific training in several modern research techniques, including survey research, experiments, field research, and non-obtrusive methods. Special emphasis on proposal writing and research design. Prerequisites: SOC 101, 301; 12 semester credits in sociology.

SOC 315. Qualitative and Ethnographic Research Methods (3 credits)

Introduction to micro theory and methods of conducting research in social settings through extended participant observation, field work, ethnography, case study, and in-depth interviews. Prerequisites: SOC 101, 301.

+SOC 323. Marriage and the Family (3 credits)

Explores the relationship between the family and other institutions such as the economy, politics, and education. Also explores role relationships prior to marriage and afterward and the impact of social change on the family. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 120.

+SOC 326. Medical Sociology (3 credits)

Explores the areas and issues associated with health and health care delivery in the United States. Topics covered include: epidemiology and social demography of health, disease, mortality, and morbidity, physical-patient relationships, structure of health care, relationships among health care providers, and physician socialization. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 120 or instructor permission.

SOC 331. Social Gerontology (3 credits)

Explores the social aspects of aging and the nature of the aging experience as it is shaped by the social context in which it occurs. A review of the historical, philosophic and demographic aspects of aging, theories of social gerontology, cross-cultural perspectives on aging, retirement and economics, and death and dying. Prerequisite: SOC 230 or permission of instructor.

SOC 336. Death and Dying (3 credits)

Trends and patterns in death and dying including historical perspectives, death in popular culture, demography of death, medical technology and dying, dying patient's perspective, and ethical dilemmas of death and dying. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

SOC 342. Drugs and Society (3 credits)

Theories of use and addiction; social and social psychological correlates of use and abuse; examination of effects of alcohol, heroin, cocaine and other substances on the individual and on various social institutions; program evaluation. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 356. Sociology of Religion (3 credits)

Presents views from numerous sociological perspectives with special emphasis on the social psychological aspects of the individual and society and the relationships to religion as a social institution. Presents religion�s influence on society, which legitimates some existing social and economic arrangements. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or permission of instructor.

SOC 364. Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)

Concept and functions of social policy, processes of policy analysis, and explanation of interrelationships of social policy, social problems and social welfare. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

+SOC 375. Environmental Social Politics (3 credits)

Using sociological and political perspectives, this course examines the interactions between the physical environment in which we live and the human society we have created. We will analyze the social causes and consequences of contemporary environmental problems as well as the social and political responses to these problems. Throughout the course we will survey theoretical concerns as they relate to various topics within sociology and political science.

SOC 380. Special Topics in Sociology (3 credits)

Focuses on issues and topics not covered in other courses. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or instructor permission.

SOC 386. Field Experience (3�6 credits)

Guided experience in local agencies. Prerequisites: SOC 101; junior status; instructor permission.

SOC 399. Independent Study (3 credits)

Directed individual reading, research and/or writing on topics approved by the department. Open only to junior and senior sociology majors. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

SOC 400. Senior Seminar (3 credits)

A capstone course designed for seniors or advanced students in the discipline. Seminar will cover current trends in the discipline and be a preparation for students seeking employment or graduate school admission. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

SOC 405. Senior Thesis in Gerontology (3 credits)

Capstone course to develop a final paper aimed at integrating specific gerontology coursework and practicum experience with major and career goals. The thesis will be read by the Gerontology director and one other faculty member relevant to the student�s major or a practicing gerontologist in the student�s intended career area. Prerequisite: SOC 230 and Gerontology director�s permission.

+STAT 213. Applied Statistical Reasoning for the Sciences (3 credits)

Cross-disciplinary course on how and why scientists use statistics to describe and interpret information they gather. Topics include descriptive statistics and basic inferential statistics. Prerequisites: Introductory course in major; MATH 121 or passing grade on screening test.

explanation of symbols:
"+" indicates course meets university general education requirements
"WI" indicates the course meets university "writing intensive" requirements